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He wasted no time getting out into the field. Within days of taking office on 1 January, he had already left the conference rooms of his…
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Kim Ju-ae aboard a tank at the Pyongyang Training Base No 60 under the Capital City Defence Corps…
The UAE State Security Apparatus announced the dismantling of a “terrorist network” funded and managed by Hezbollah and Iran. It confirmed the arrest of its members, who were operating within the country under fraudulent commercial cover to infiltrate the national economy and execute external agendas threatening the nation’s financial stability.In a statement issued today, the apparatus explained that the network operated according to a pre-planned strategic scheme coordinated with external parties linked to Hezbollah and Iran. Their activities involved violating economic and legal regulations, including money laundering and terrorism financing, to undermine national security. It emphasized that any attempt to exploit the national economy or civil institutions for terrorist or conspiratorial purposes would be met with firmness and force. It further asserted that no external interference threatening the state’s security or stability would be tolerated, regardless of its source or pretext. Source link
Two people were killed and another injured in an Israeli airstrike on southern Lebanon on Friday. The Lebanese National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes targeted a house in the town of Bafliyeh, in the Tyre district, killing two people and injuring another. The agency also reported that Israeli aircraft struck the city of Bint Jbeil and the town of Taybeh, and renewed their attacks on the town of Kfar Tebnit for the second time in less than half an hour. Source link
Israeli warplanes carried out an airstrike Friday on a Syrian army site in Daraa province, southern Syria.Local sources reported that an office belonging to the 40th Division of the Ministry of Defense in the Izraa area of ​​northern Daraa countryside was targeted by an Israeli airstrike. Initial reports indicate that the attack resulted in no casualties, and damage was limited to material losses at the targeted site. Israeli warplanes routinely attack targets inside Syrian territory and violate its sovereignty with ground incursions, in clear violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. Source link
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will take place on schedule and with the participation of all national teams.Speaking during today’s online meeting of the FIFA Council, Infantino said, “FIFA is looking forward to all teams participating in the 2026 World Cup to compete in a spirit of fair play and mutual respect.” “We have a schedule, and we want the World Cup to go ahead as planned.” Infantino noted that FIFA cannot resolve geopolitical disputes, but is committed to using the power of football, stressing that the World Cup is about building bridges and promoting peace. Source link
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah speaks to manager Arne Slot after being substituted during the UEFA Champions League last 16 clash against Galatasaray at Anfield. (Reuters) Arne Slot believes Liverpool fired a warning shot to Paris Saint-Germain of what they are capable of in a 4-0 thrashing of Galatasaray on Wednesday which set up a Champions League quarter-final against the holders. PSG edged past Slot’s side on penalties on their way to winning the competition for the first time in the last 16 last season. Liverpool were riding high at the top of the Premier League when the sides last met, but have endured a much more difficult second season under Slot. The Reds sit fifth in the English top flight and had to come from behind against Galatasaray after losing the first leg 1-0 in Istanbul. However, there was little doubt over the outcome once Dominik Szoboszlai levelled the tie on 25 minutes at Anfield on Wednesday. Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah struck in the second half, while Salah also missed a penalty as Liverpool responded in style from being booed off after Sunday’s 1-1 draw against struggling Tottenham. “They haven’t dropped their standards. It was hardly possible for them to improve, but they’ve been very impressive till now,” said Slot on facing the French champions. But I think after tonight they will not look forward to playing against us too.” Liverpool won 1-0 at the Parc des Princes last season, completely against the run of play. But the roles were reversed as PSG triumphed 1-0 at Anfield despite a much-improved Liverpool display in the second leg. “We were completely outplayed away from home. I think we played a great game here at Anfield and in the end we lost on penalties,” added Slot. Slot’s decision to rest a number of key players from the start against Spurs at the weekend paid off. Salah was one of those to return to the starting line-up and netted his 50th Champions League goal after the disappointment of missing from the spot and a series of other huge chances. “I think it says a lot about his mentality. He missed a penalty just before half-time and that was, of course, a difficult moment because after 45 minutes being 1-0 up was ridiculous if you looked at the run of play,” said Slot. “Then to come out second half and perform like that. A great assist to Hugo and the goal he scored was a trademark of him.” Related…
Harry Kane scored twice as Bayern won 4-1 against Atalanta on Wednesday. (Reuters) Harry Kane said Bayern Munich had nothing to fear in taking on Real Madrid after setting up a quarter-final clash with the European giants by beating Atalanta on Wednesday. Kane, who sat on the bench in the first leg, scored twice as Bayern won 4-1 on Wednesday, wrapping up a 10-2 aggregate victory to book a date with the 15-time European Cup winners. “We don’t fear anyone,” the England captain said of the Real match-up. “We know it’ll be tough, but with the confidence from this game and the season so far, we just need to keep doing what we’re doing.” Kane’s brace brought his career total to 50 goals in 66 Champions League games. This season, he has 47 goals in 39 games in all competitions — more than he has ever scored for a club in a single season. Nine points clear in the Bundesliga with eight games to play, Bayern have lost just two of 41 games in all competitions this season. In his first season in Germany, Kane lost over two legs in the semi-finals against Real, who beat Bayern’s rivals Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley. Kane, who wore the captain’s armband at Bayern for the first time in the Champions League, suggested his side had learned from the defeat and knew how to take on Real. “Whenever you play Real Madrid in the Champions League, you have to expect a tough opposition, you have to be ready for a fight,” Kane said. “You have to be ready to try and play in a certain way, and we’ll be ready for that.” Bayern have not beaten the Spanish giants since the semi-finals of the 2011-12 competition. “Both clubs are giant,” Bayern manager Vincent Kompany said. “Who’s the best right now isn’t important — the history of both clubs is huge It’ll be very special. Honestly speaking, with Madrid, when the level goes higher, then they get better. That’s why I’m expecting an absolute top game. It’ll be good for the fans – the neutral fans as well – but at the end we want to win.” Related Story Source link
Chinese and Macau flags flutter at the Golden Lotus Square in Macau, China. (Reuters/File Photo) Lawmakers in Macau, a city under Chinese rule, unanimously approved a bill Thursday that allows court proceedings to be held behind closed doors when deemed necessary to protect national security interests. The city enacted its first national security law in 2009 and tightened it with amendments in 2023. Last July, leading democrat Au Kam San was arrested for alleged collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security, the first known arrest under that law.The new legislation stipulates that judges must refer cases to the city’s Committee for Safeguarding National Security if they believe national security may be at risk during a public hearing.The committee has the ultimate authority to decide whether the matter pertains to national security and order that hearings be held behind closed doors. Its decisions are final, not subject to appeal or judicial review.The law will take effect a day after its publication in Macau’s official gazette.The Macau government said the approval had demonstrated the successful implementation of the principle of “patriots governing Macau”.Unlike in Hong Kong, which saw big social movements challenge Chinese Communist Party rule in 2014 and 2019, the democratic opposition in the former Portuguese colony has always existed on the fringes amid tight Chinese control.After Au’s arrest last year, rights groups have called for his unconditional release and urged authorities not to suppress peaceful criticism. Source link
Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring during the CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 match against SC in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (AFP) Argentine superstar Lionel Messi bagged the 900th goal of his glittering career on Wednesday but could not prevent Inter Miami from crashing out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup on away goals after a 1-1 draw with Nashville. Messi, 38, scored his milestone goal after just seven minutes to put Miami 1-0 up in the second leg of their last-16 clash in the regional club competition. But Nashville’s Cristian Espinoza lashed in a 74th-minute equalizer to make it 1-1 on aggregate, and after holding Miami at bay for the remainder of the game, the visitors from Tennessee advanced to the quarter-finals on the away goals rule. Miami’s exit was a bittersweet ending to what had promised to be a night of celebration after Messi’s early opener in what was the club’s final game at their Chase Stadium home in Fort Lauderdale. Messi’s strike took the Argentine’s tally to 81 goals for the MLS champions following his move to Florida in 2023. The eight-time Ballon D’Or winner previously scored 672 goals for Spanish giants Barcelona, 32 for France’s Paris Saint-Germain, and a further 115 international goals for Argentina. Goal number 900 came some 21 years after Messi’s first goal in senior football, when he scored for Barcelona in a 2-0 win over Albacete in 2005 as a fresh-faced 17-year-old. Messi, widely regarded as the greatest player in football history, still has some way to go before he catches his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old Portuguese superstar who is on 965 career goals. Speaking ahead of Messi’s 900th goal, Miami manager and former Argentina and Barcelona team-mate Javier Mascherano described the star’s goals total as “insane.” “I’ve been lucky enough to see most, or many, of the goals he’s scored, much closer than you all, and that’s a privilege,” Mascherano said. “The number we’re talking about (900) is insane, and that’s why Leo is a one of a kind.” Wednesday’s match carried added significance for Inter Miami, marking a farewell to the team’s Chase Stadium. The venue has served as Inter Miami’s home since the club entered Major League Soccer in 2020. The team will move into a new purpose-built 26,700-seat facility next month. Messi is strongly expected to play in his sixth World Cup later this year, when Argentina defend their title in the 48-team tournament being staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Argentine star has already extended his Inter Miami contract through to the end of the 2028 season. Messi’s prolific goalscoring has been a hallmark of his career. His 672 goals for Barcelona came in just 778 games — an average of 0.86 per game — helping the Catalan club win 35 trophies before departure to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. In France, he scored 32 goals in 75 matches, winning three trophies including two league titles. In Miami, his 81 goals have come in just 96 appearances, helping the team win the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2025 MLS Cup. His 115 international goals have come in 196 matches, including two in the 2022 World Cup final victory over France. Messi’s goals tally leaves him second only to Ronaldo according to most recognised statistical records. Brazilian legend Pele is often said to have scored more than 1,000 goals but those numbers have been the subject to debate. Most statisticians put Pele’s total for Brazil, Santos and New York Cosmos at 762. Related Story…